Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-05-27
THE B. P. W.
HOLDS A MEETING FOR EARNEST INQUIRY,
LAST NIGHT.
Bids 10 bs Asked for Doing the Paving
Ordered by OOuncil-Wll the
Money Hold 0ut?

The Board of Public Works held a rather
lively session last evening at their rooms ut
the City Hall. The deadlock between the
Board and Council formed the topic OF dis
cussion, and incidentally the Robertson
substitute" paving programme was quite
often referred to in q manner which left no
doubt of the opinions of those present. As
a matter of fact, the members of the Board
were in a very unhappy frame OF mind, as
the references to the ACCESSIBILITY Of resign
ing, made in the course of the evening,
abundantly proved.
City Solicitor George B. Caldwell had
been requested to be present, and the
early portion of the session was devoted
to listening to the gentleman eXpound Ger
tain messages in the municipal laws and
define some of the rights and privileges OF
the Board under the existing ordinance.
It was explained to Mr.. Caldwell that the
Board was in quite a dilemma at the
present time, aud the question was, what
should be done. Council had seen mt to
pass paving ordinance which ordered a
certain amount OF work to be done. The
Board felt pretty certain that there was
not money enough in the hands OF the
Board to do it, even if the contingent fund
was drawn upon, and with that fund used
ND, the ordinary work of repairs, street
| cleaning, etc, would have to come to a
complete stop. For instance, the work
and estimates for it set forth in the eN-
listing ordinance were based upon
old prices for materials. Brick had adj
yanced from So to about $l2 per thousand,
and the increase in the cost Of paving
would thus be very large. To work under
the ordinance would thus result in no end
of trouble, and subject the Board to end
less complaints by citizens.
Mr.. Caldwell appreciated the situation.
He called attention, also, to the fact that
the Board was being misunderstood by
many members of Council 1t was not
desired to make the Board of Public
Works entirely independent of Council,
but merely to have it take the place of the
Committee on Streets and Alleys, and see
that street repairs and improvements were
made at proper times, to proper extent,
and proper materials used.
If the hands of the Board were tied, and
it was made powerless, the result would he
apparent in the character of the work turned
out. He went ON to talk Of the old s., 900
limit of Rule 4, and made some personal
illusions, which, while interesting, would
not be conducive TO peace and good order
| if printed.
When Mr.. Caldwell had withdrawn, the
members of the Board proceeded to wreStle
with the situation in private. After a
time ii was proposed that proposals for
doing all the work contained i'll the exist
ing ordinance he asked for, and after the
bids had been received the lowest and best
be footed up, and grand total of the cost
of the work thus secured. II, rs the mem
bers thought, it would exceed the amount
of cash on hand, it would be useless for
the Board to attempt to carry ont the pro-
gramme. In the course OF the discussion
the shortcomings of the present ordinance,
in failing to provide for curbing, etc, for
the streets to be paved, were pointed out,
and commented upon. The advertisement
for proposals will probably appear in few
days, and then the Board will proceed Ia
Figure" with a view to aScertaining just
where itoit.